A Multimedia Arts freshman of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is one of four members of progressive artists’ group Panday Sining who was arrested and detained by Manila Police Department (MPD) officers after allegedly vandalizing public property following the Bonifacio Day mobilization along Mendiola, Manila on Nov. 30.
The four members were caught painting on the walls of an underpass along Recto Avenue in Manila at around 5:30 p.m. The Bonifacio Day protest and mobilization was held to commemorate the birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio. According to an official statement posted on the Facebook page of Panday Sining, the protest art posed the question: “What would Bonifacio do?”
Nevertheless, the arrest procedure allegedly involved physical assault. According to the statement of Panday Sining CSB Chairperson Arvin Isidro, the four members were supposed to go to the University of the Philippines’ Cultural Night. Isidro claimed that non-uniformed police commanded every passenger to vacate the jeepney the said members were riding, and then they were pulled and kicked by the officers. They were told that during the rally, there were intels and civilians following them beforehand.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso has recently spoken about the incident on Twitter.
“You were warned. Nag-abiso na ako. Nananawagan po ako na huwag ninyo nang ulitin. Inulit niyo pa rin. Sinusubukan niyo kung may batas at liderato sa Maynila,” Domagoso said.
The Manila Mayor had already issued a warning against Panday Sining for the vandalism incident in Lagusnilad Underpass earlier in November. The Lagusnilad Underpass, prior to its vandalization, was newly-cleaned as part of Manila’s rehabilitation efforts.
“Kailangan niyo pong harapin ngayon ang bisa ng batas,” Domagoso said in his tweet.
As of writing, the members are still at MPD’s Headquarters located along UN Avenue as they were charged with vandalism.
Meanwhile, the Benilde Central Student Government released a unity statement in response to the said incident.
“As Benildean artists and students, we stand in solidarity with our fellow youth who are victims of this injustice. We condemn the illegal arrest of the four members of the progressive organization Panday Sining.” the statement read.
“We reaffirm the inalienable right to due process and freedom of expression that the state and its constitution grants every citizen,” the statement continued.
Panday Sining, the cultural arm of mass organization Anakbayan, is an organization that advocates for national democracy through art. It is currently not a recognized student organization under the Student Involvement Office, Benilde’s office tasked to evaluate, monitor, and recognize student groups in the College.
